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The Township of Selwyn is a lower tier municipality governed by a 5 member Council comprised of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and three Councillors who represent the wards of Smith, Ennismore, and Lakefield. Selwyn is a part of the upper tier County of Peterborough with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor representing the Township on the County of Peterborough Council.

Council members serve for a four year term of office. As part of their role as a Councillor, members also serve on a variety of Committees that support municipal operations including: Committee of Adjustment, Accessibility Advisory Committee, Library Board, Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, Police Services Board, Heritage Committee, Trails Development Committee and the Ad-Hoc Economic Development Committee.

Council also operates with a portfolio system that reflects the broad areas of municipal responsibility. Each member of Council is responsible for a specific portfolio. Council members pay particular attention to activities pertaining to their portfolio and provide updates to Council as necessary. Selwyn has five (5) portfolios and for the 2018-2022 Council term the following appointments have been made:

Council meetings are open to the public. Anyone wishing to make a presentation to Council may do so by providing the Clerk with a request in writing not less than 6 days prior to the Council meeting. The written notice must contain a clear statement of what issue or matters are to be dealt with at Council and signed by the author.

Andy Mitchell, Mayor

Andy Mitchell was elected Mayor of Selwyn Township October 22, 2018 and assumed his position December 1.

Andy and his wife Christine, their children and other members of their family are residents of Lakefield.

Andy holds a Bachelor of Political Science earned at Carleton University in Ottawa and attended primary and secondary school in Montreal. Building on his academic and job experience he became an adjunct professor at Trent University where he taught courses in political science.

Andy previously served as Deputy Mayor of Selwyn Township from 2010 to 2014. His work on Council included the development of a Recreational Services Plan, the update of the Fire Master Plan, the completion of a community cultural mapping project and the establishment of Community Improvement Plans in Ennismore, Bridgenorth, Young's Point and Lakefield.

Andy was elected as a Member of Parliament from 1993 to 2006. He served eight years in the Federal cabinet where he held several portfolios including Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Secretary of State for Parks, Secretary of State for Rural Development and Secretary of State for Fed Nor. From 2014 to 2018 Andy was elected President of the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians.

Andy served as Chief of Staff to the Federal Leader of the Opposition and as a Senior Advisor to the Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural affairs.

Before entering politics Andy worked in the banking industry for 20 years, including six as a community branch manager. He served as President of the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation and as President of the Peterborough Innovation Cluster. He has also been President of three Chambers of Commerce.

Sherry Senis, Deputy Mayor

Sherry and her husband Wayne are residents of Selwyn and she is the proud mother of two daughters and four grandchildren. She is a trustee with Wesley United Church and an active member of the Selwyn Women’s Institute.

With a long history of community involvement and a background in business, Sherry continues to bring her experience and strong voice to Council meetings. She feels honoured and privileged to represent the Township in her second term as Deputy Mayor, after having served two terms as Smith Ward Councllor.

Sherry is a member of the Awards and Bursaries Committee and the Waste Management Committee at the County level, and is Vice Chair of the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority and on the Economic Development and Business Committee.

She believes in sustainable growth through responsible development and intends to work on creating a healthier business climate which will foster job creation. She is a staunch advocate of open and transparent government and wants to continue annual town hall meetings, the township newsletter, the Council Communicator, and to meet face to face with residents by having walkabouts through the township.

She foresees a council that will direct and initiate - not just react to issues.

Sherry is always available by email or by phone for you to voice concerns, questions, ideas or comments.

Donna Ballantyne - Ennismore Ward Councillor

As a lifelong resident of Ennismore, Donna is confident that she understands the past, present and future needs of the Township. Donna has lived on the family farm on Robinson Road for 45 years with her husband Rollie. She has spent her life in community service. Donna worked for Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board for over 30 years, dealing primarily with exceptional students. In her spare time she enjoys golfing, reading and loves to travel.

Donna welcomes questions and concerns from the rate payers and would be happy to discuss issues as they arise. Donna prides herself in being accessible to the public and has always strived to help people find answers and/or solutions to their problems and queries. Donna is a Council Representative for both the Library Board and the Trails Advisory Committee. This is Donna's fourth term as the Ennismore Ward Councillor.

Gerry Herron - Smith Ward Councillor

Gerry was raised in Peterborough, and has been a resident of Selwyn since 2003, with his wife Nicole and 2 labs, Molly & George.

Gerry is very involved in the betterment of the community as a volunteer. As a member of the Chemung Lake Lions, he is a past President, Zone Chair, Lion of the year and a Helen Keller Award recipient. In 2014, he received the Melvin Jones award. He was a founder of the Bridgenorth Cruise Night, and started the annual Christmas Tree lighting in Lions Park.

Being self-employed at Blue Diamond Window Cleaning, he is acutely aware of the importance that responsible economic development plays in the future of our township. He also understands that growth is important to the sustainability of Selwyn Township. He brings 24 years of business management experience to the council table.

As a member of this community, he feels it is important to listen to our customers, act on their behalf, and most importantly, do what is right for our customers.

Gerry is a Council Representative for the Trails Advisory Committee. He looks forward to working with council and staff, as well as the people of this great community.

Anita Locke, Lakefield Ward Councillor

Anita Locke was born and raised in Lakefield, and has spent most of her years living in the area. She attended elementary and secondary schools in Lakefield, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trent University (1996).

She has three children -- a son and two daughters -- and six grandchildren. All of her children graduated from Lakefield District Secondary School. Her son is employed in the aggregate industry. Her older daughter is a Registered Nurse and works at PRHC. Her youngest daughter graduated from college in the Travel and Tourism program. Anita and her partner Dail live in Lakefield.

Ms. Locke's employment includes serving her constituents as Lakefield Ward Councillor for the township (elected 2006; acclaimed 2010; re-elected 2014; acclaimed 2018), Music Director at Young's Point United Church (since 2008), and also works part time at a retirement residence in Peterborough (since 2013).

Anita is Advisory Member for the Peterborough Police Services Board and Council representative on both the Heritage Committee and the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee. Her Township portfolio is Sustainability, Culture and Seniors.

She is actively involved in her community, sitting as a member of the Lakefield Legion Br. 77 Executive and doing other volunteer work for the Branch. She was also a member of the initial Steering Committee for the Lakefield Farmers' Market, and has volunteered with other community organizations.